Families, art lovers and anyone looking to celebrate Mother’s Day without spending a lot have a full slate of free and low-cost options across the Rio Rancho area this weekend — with events running all three days, May 8–10.
Friday, May 8
The weekend opens at THE BLOCK, 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, where Float Like a Buffalo takes the Main Stage at 7 p.m. for a free outdoor show. The library system also kicks off afternoon programming: teens and tweens can drop into Focus & Fun Afterschool at Loma Colorado Main Library at 3:30 p.m. for crafts and STEM activities, and adults and teens can join a free Mental Health Matters: Journaling Together session at The HUB @ Enchanted Hills at 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 9
Saturday packs in the most activity. The Cabezon Shop Local Market opens at 10 a.m. at Cabezon Park, 2307 Cabezon Blvd. SE, with vendors selling handmade and homegrown products — franchise companies, resale items and prepared food from big-box stores are not allowed. Loma Colorado Main Library hosts two free events simultaneously at 11 a.m.: an Improving Desert Soil lecture for gardeners, and Read to the Dogs for young readers. Saturday Morning Storytime for babies and toddlers runs at 10 a.m. at The HUB @ Enchanted Hills. Hicks Philly Fowler closes out the evening on the Main Stage at THE BLOCK at 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 10 — Mother’s Day
Sunday brings the area’s two weekly farmers markets online. The Rio Rancho Farmers Market runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2320 Lariat Rd. SE, with local produce and goods. The Corrales Growers’ Market runs 9 a.m. to noon in Corrales. THE BLOCK celebrates Mother’s Day with a free flower for Mom and mimosa specials, plus a free Nate Fox performance at 2 p.m. on the Main Stage and a free outdoor screening of Labyrinth at 7 p.m.
Running all three days: the 29th annual Placitas Studio Tour, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with 62 artists open across 48 studios in the Sandia Mountain foothills community — free and self-guided.
More details
- The city’s Great American Cleanup at Rio Rancho City Hall (3200 Civic Center Circle NE) runs Saturday, 9–11 a.m., but registration is closed for this year’s event.
- THE BLOCK events are free and open to all ages; Top of THE BLOCK Bar is 18+. Outdoor movies are rain-or-shine; blankets and chairs welcome. Check theblocknm.com/events for updates — the venue notes events are subject to change.
- Rio Rancho Public Library events are free. Loma Colorado Main Library: 755 Loma Colorado Blvd. NE. The HUB @ Enchanted Hills: 7710 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE. Full listings at riorancholibraries.events.mylibrary.digital/
Mother’s Day Weekend — May 8–10
Friday, May 8
- Float Like a Buffalo — 7 p.m. | THE BLOCK, 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE | Free
- Focus & Fun Afterschool — 3:30 p.m. | Loma Colorado Main Library | Free
- Mental Health Matters: Journaling Together — 5 p.m. | The HUB @ Enchanted Hills | Free
Saturday, May 9
- Saturday Morning Storytime — 10 a.m. | The HUB @ Enchanted Hills | Free
- Cabezon Shop Local Market — 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Cabezon Park, 2307 Cabezon Blvd. SE | Free
- Improving Desert Soil lecture — 11 a.m. | Loma Colorado Main Library | Free
- Read to the Dogs — 11 a.m. | Loma Colorado Main Library | Free
- Hicks Philly Fowler — 7 p.m. | THE BLOCK Main Stage | Free
Sunday, May 10 — Mother’s Day
- Corrales Growers’ Market — 9 a.m.–noon | 500 Jones Rd., Corrales | Free
- Rio Rancho Farmers Market — 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | 2320 Lariat Rd. SE | Free
- Nate Fox — 2 p.m. | THE BLOCK Main Stage | Free; free flower for Mom + mimosa specials
- Labyrinth outdoor movie — 7 p.m. | THE BLOCK | Free
All weekend
- 29th Annual Placitas Studio Tour — 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Placitas | Free | placitasstudiotour.org